Portable campfire pad



Dec. 19, 1967 R. A. RocKE 3,358,673

PORTABLE CAMPFIRE PAD Filed Feb. 2, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet l RL ch am' RecA/e ATTRNE .5

Dec. 19, 1967 R. A. ROCKE PORTABLE CAMPFIRE PAD 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1966 INVENTOR RL' cham Roc/fe ATTRNE .5

R. A. ROCKE Dec. 19, 1967 PORTABLE CAMPFIHE PAD 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 2, 1966 /ITTRN United States Patent O 3,353,673 PORTABLE CAMPFIRE PAD Richard A. Roche, 563 Crestwood Drive, Eureka, Ill. 6153@ Filed Feb. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 524,397 5 Claims. (Si. 126-152) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLSURE An outdoor portable campfire pad adapted to be built close to the ground. The pad has a circular segmental body with a peripheral rim for preventing the burning fire embers from falling off the body. Means is provided for joining the segments of the body to each other and a handle is provided for carrying the pad.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an outdoor portable campfire pad to permit building of a tire near a home, such as in the yard, lawn, driveway and the like.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a portable campre pad that permits persons living in confined areas to be able to enjoy the pleasures of having an open log fire anywhere on the grounds around the home, without damage to the grounds and without danger of causing a fire to the surrounding premises.

Another object of the invention is to provide a campfire pad of this kind that is positioned close to the ground whereby the fire is at substantially ground level.

A further object is to provide a campfire pad of this kind that permits burning of leaves, tree branches and other material anywhere on the property without carrying such material long distances.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a portable campfire pad of this kind that is readily portable so as vto be carried to distant places for use, such as parks or other recreational areas.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a campfire pad of this kind that is readily assembled, disassembled, and packaged so that it can be easily sent through the mail.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a portable campfire pad that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture and which is efficient in use in providing an open outside log fire.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, re-ference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in whichv the various features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

AIn the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a portable campfire pad made in accordance with the present invention, a log fire being shown thereon;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a disassembled top perspective View of the campfire pad of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a portable campfire pad embodying a modified form of the'invention, parts being shown broken away.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged 6 6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a disassembled top perspective view of the fastening and spacing means of FIG. 5.

of parts sectional View taken on the line 3,358,513 Patented ec. 19, 1967 pad embodying still `another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a section of the pad of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an edge View as seen from the line 11-11 of FIG.- 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 12 12 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a top sections of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a top of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 -is a top plan view of one of the corner sections of FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a portable campfire pad embodying a still further modified form of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the various forms of the drawings, in FIG. 1 a portable campfire pad embodying one form of the invention is illustrated and designated generally at 10. The campfire pad is shown mounted on grass l2 on a lawn, and a fire of logs 14 is shown blazing on the top surface thereof.

The campfire pad l0' has a fiat circular body 16 with a low upstanding peripheral rim 1S providing a shallow fireplace 20. The body of the pad is mounted on spaced runners 22 radiating from the center thereof and secured to the body in any suitable manner. The body and run-ners are composed of wood, metal, asbestos or other suitable insulating `and fireproof material and may be cast or molded.

The body 16 is formed of pie-shaped segments or sections 24, four segments being shown, each with an integral curved rim section 26. The segments or sections are joined at their apical ends by a circular metal plate. serving as a locking cap 28 overlying said apical ends. The plate is enlarged at its top center forming a handle or finger piece 29 for manipulating the lock cap. The segments are joined at their broad curved ends by metal straps 30 spanning the junctures between the segments or sections and locking the segments to each other at their outer ends. The central circular plate 28 is held in position by pins 32 depending from the plate and entering holes 34 in the Vapical ends of the segments. The straps 30 are held in position by pins 36 depending from the ends thereof and extending into plan view of the center assembly of plan view of one of the center sections holes 38 in the segments adjacent the broad curved ends thereof adjacent the sides thereof.

The segments or sections 22 are each formed at both sides `thereof with cutaway portions forming grooves 40 and tongues 42. along the fiat body thereof, terminating in groove-s 44 across the inner surface of the rim 26 at the ends thereof forming continuations of the grooves 40, and terminating in tongues 46 forming continuations of the tongues 42. When assembled as seen in FIG. 1, the tongue 46 of one segment inter-locks with the groove 44 of the adjacent segment so that the segments overlap and there is a continuous inner surface along the rim as well as a continuous outer surface thereof.

In use, the improved campfire pad it) may be mounted on any substantially horizontal surface such as grass on a lawn, ground of-a yard, concrete driveway or the like. The runners 22 serve to lift the body off of the supporting surface so that air may circulate under the pad and any heat that might tend to build up will be dispersed. The

runners also prevent grass under the pad from becoming fiattened out.

terial, such as lugs 14, upon the plate 28 at the center thereof, the logs preferably being placed radially on the plate as shown in FIG. l. The lire may continue for a reasonable duration and be of reasonable moderate intensity and no damage will result to the vegetation, grass, sod, ground, blacktop, concrete or any other surface material that happens to be under the campfire pad. The rim around the body prevents hot coals, hot ash, or other material from rolling oit ofthe pad.

The sectional construction of the pad permits it to be easily transported and mailed, and the size of the pad may be easily varied from the minimum to any size desired by merely adding the proper additional segments or sections. The tongue and groove connections at the juncture ot' the segments or sections seal the; junctures and prevent hot coals, hot ash, sparks and the like from falling through the junctures. The central plate 28 and straps 36 hold the pad together so that the lying on of logs will not jar the sections apart. The tire pad is easily cleaned olf and its circular shape permits it to be easily rolled into a garage or the like where it can be stored ilat against a wall, taking up but very little storage space. A circular campfire pad 4 in diameter has been found satisfactory.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, inclusive, a portable campfire pad 10 is shown embodying a modilied form of the invention. The pad comprises a one piece unitary structure including a circular body 16'. The body 16' comprises a pair of circular plates, an upper plate 5G and a lower plate S2 spaced therefrom as viewed in FIG. 6. The upper plate 50 is formed with an upstanding peripheral rim 26 and the lower plate 52 with a downwardly extending peripheral rim S4. The space between the plate is divided by means of outer and inner metal rings 56 and 58, respectively. The plates are spaced by means of tubular spacers 60 and are held in spaced relation by means of double headed rivets 62 extending through holes 64 and 66 in the upper and lower plates 50, 52 respectively, and through the tubular spacers 6l). Elongated wooden feet 22 extend across the rings 56 and 58 and are secured in position by the rivets 62. Fireproof material such as rock wool 68 is stuffed between the plates 50 and 52. An annular upstanding metal plate 70 surrounds the outer surfaces of the rims 26' and 54 of plates 50 and 52 and is turned over or looped over the upstanding rim 26' as indicated at 72 on the upper plate 50 and is fastened thereto by spaced rivets 74 extending through the loop and rim but may not be spot welded thereto. The depending rim 54 on plate 52 is Ifastened to the bottom end of plate 70 by means of spaced rivets 7 6.

The campfire pad 10' functions similarly to carnpre pad 10 of FIG. l.

FIG. 8 illustrates modified means for joining the outer broad curved ends of the segments or sections 24 consisting of a notch 80 formed in the upper edge of rim 26" adjacent one side of the segment and a hole 82 extending through the rim 26" adjacent the other side of the segment. A ring 84 is threaded through the hole 82. When the segments are in juxtaposition as shown in FIG. 8, and the ring 84 of one segment may be swung into the notch 80 of the adjacent segment thereby holding the adjacent segments against displacement.

In FIGS. 9 to 15, inclusive, another modified form of portable campfire pad 10a is shown and includes a squareshaped body 16a composed ot a plurality of segments or sections including side segments 90, corner segments 92 and central segments 94. The side and corner segments are rimmed providing a shallow lire place 20a.

The side segments 9) each as shown in FIGS. 10, l1 and l2 comprises a square body with its opposed sides cutaway forming tongues 42a and grooves 40a and with au upstanding rim 93 formed on another side and with a groove 95 formed on one half of the side opposed to the rim and with a tongue 96 4formed on the other half thereof. Holes 34a are formed at the corners of the side mounting the groove 94 and tongue 96.

Each corner segment 92 has best seen in FIG. l5 is pieshaped cutaway along each straight side forming a tongue 46a and a groove 44a there along. An upstanding curved rim 26a extending along the outer broad end and a hole 34a is formed in the apical end thereof.

The central segments 94 as best seen in FIG. 14, each comprises a square shaped body. On one side the body is cutaway vfor one-half the length of said side thereby forming a groove 98. Each of the other three sides is cutaway for one half its length forming a groove 100 and is extended for the other half of its length forming a tongue 102. A hole 194 is formed at each corner of the body of the center segment 94.

In assembling the body of campfire pad 10a, the central segments 94 are nested together as an assembly shown in FIG. 13, the side Segments are placed side by side with the corner segments 92 interposed between adjacent side segments. When thus assembled the tongues 102 of adjacent segments enter into and interlock with the groove 98 in adjacent segments. The tongues 96 of the side segments 90 are inserted into and interlock with the grooves 100 on the central segments 94. The tongues 46a of the corner segments enter into and interlock with the grooves 40a ofthe side segments 90.

The ends ot the sides of the segments are tapered providing a triangular shaped opening when in assembled condition as shown in FIG. 9.

The tongue 102 and groove 100 sides of the segments or sections 94 permit these segments to tit anywhere eliminating the need for lefts and rights The constructions and shapes of the segments 90, 92 and 94 are such that any size or shape of lire pad 10a could be built. A pad formed of these segments of a size 8 x 8' has been found satisfactory.

In FIG. 16, a portable campfire pad 10x is illustrated embodying a further modilied form of the invention. The pad has a substantially rectangular-shaped body with straight sides and curved ends formed by square-shaped side segments or sections 93x and by triangular shaped corner segments or sections 92x.

The side segments 99x are similar in construction to side segments 90 of FIG. 9, with rim 93x at one end with a groove 95x and tongue 96x at the other end, and with side groove 40x and side tongue 42x. The corner segments 92x are similar in construction with comer segments 92 of FIG. 9 with curved rim 93x. The segments are joined similarly to the segments of FIG. 9. A pad formed of these segments of a size 4' x 6 has been found satisfactory.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An outdoor portable campfire pad comprising a circular shallow fireplace of lireproof and insulating material having an opstanding peripheral rim and means for supporting the fireplace closely spaced from the ground, said lireplace being composed of pie-shaped segments having curved outer ends and pointed apical ends and overlapping side connections, means at the center of the replace for joining the apical ends of the segments, and means at the outer curved ends of the segments for joining the curved ends of the segments, said segments being multisided and constituting an assembly, said peripheral rim being constituted by the outside edges of the segments forming the outside edge of the assembly, the overlapping side connections between the segments being constituted by interlocking tongues and grooves formed on the sides of the segments.

2. An outdoor portable campre pad as defined in claim 1, wherein the apical end and corners of the segments have holes therein and wherein the means for joining the apical ends or adjacent corners of the segments consists of a circular metal plate having depending pins extending through the holes in the apical ends or corners, said plate having a central enlargement on the top surface thereof serving as a handle.

3. An outdoor portable campfire pad as defined in claim 1, wherein the segments have holes adjacent the sides thereof and wherein the means for joining the outside edge of the assembly consists of elongated metal straps spanning the junctures of the segments, and depending pins on the straps extending through the holes in the segments.

4. A11 outdoor portable campfire pad as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for supporting the fireplace spaced from the ground consists of spaced runners secured to the undersurface of the segments, said runners radiating from the center of the replace and being formed of wood or the like.

5. An outdoor portable campfire pad as dened in claim 1, wherein the means for joining the outside edges of the assembly consists of a notch intersecting the top of the outside edge of one segment of an adjacent pair of segments, and a hole in the otuside edge of the other segment of the adjacent pair of segments, and rings loosely mounted in the holes adapted to be swung into the notches.

vReferences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,998,002 8/ 1961 Standig 126-25 FOREIGN PATENTS 429,614 6/ 1935 Great Britain. 702,529 1/ 1954 Great Britain.

CHARLES I. MYHRE, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN OUTDOOR PORTABLE CAMPFIRE PAD COMPRISING A CIRCULAR SHALLOW FIREPLACE OF FIREPROOF AND INSULATING MATERAIL HAVING AN UPSTANDING PERIPHERAL RIM AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE FIREPLACE CLOSELY SPACED FROM THE GROUND, SAID FIREPLACE BEING COMPOSED OF PIE-SHAPED SEGMENTS HAVING CURVED OUTER ENDS AND POINTED APICAL ENDS AND OVERLAPPING SIDE CONNECTIONS, MEANS AT THE CENTER OF THE FIREPLACE FOR JOINING THE APICAL ENDS OF THE SEGMENTS, AND MEANS AT THE OUTER CURVED ENDS OF THE SEGMENTS FOR JOINING THE CURVED ENDS OF THE SEGMENTS, SAID SEGMENTS BEING 